O vis aeternitatis.…………………………………………………………………………………Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
arr. Gulli Björnsson
Occhi io vissi di voi……………………………………………………………………………………………Claudia Sessa (1570-1617)
Asturias…..………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
Dynjandi…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Gulli Björnsson (b.1991)
Unquestioned Answer…………………………………………………………………………………….……..Laurie Spiegel (b.1945)
Caprice No. 24…………………………………………………………………………………………..…Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)
Spring Reimagined…………………………………………Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) / Max Richter (b.1966)
arr. Jiji
Electric Counterpoint, Movements II and III…………………………………………………………Steve Reich (b.1936)
Cor…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Krists Auznieks (b.1992)
Very Berry Strawberry…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…Jiji (b.1993)
You Break It, You Buy It…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……Jiji
Everyone Wants a Piece of You………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Jiji
Praised by The Washington Post for her “mesmerizing” and “stirring” performances, JIJI is an adventurous guitarist known for her virtuosity and command of diverse repertoire. Equally at home with both acoustic and electric guitar, her concert programs range from traditional and contemporary classical to free improvisation.
Through her impeccable musicianship, compelling stage presence, and commitment to commissioning and performing new musical works, JIJI has solidified her reputation as a top 21st century guitarist. In 2021, The Washington Post selected JIJI as “one of the 21 composers/performers who sound like tomorrow,” and The Kansas City Star recently described her as “a graceful and nuanced player.” In recent seasons, JIJI has presented solo recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall; Lincoln Center; 92nd Street Y; Caramoor; Celebrity Series of Boston; Caffe Lena; Tippet Rise; San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre; and the National Art Gallery, among other distinguished venues. Her performances have been featured on PBS (On Stage at Curtis), NPR’s From the Top, WHYY-TV, FOX 4-TV, Munchies (the Vice Channel), The Not So Late Show (Channel 6, Kansas), and Hong Kong broadcast station RTHK’s The Works. In 2016, she became the first guitarist in 30 years to secure first prize in the Concert Artists Guild Competition.
JIJI’s 2024-2025 season demonstrates her range and versatility on her chosen instrument. She performs Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, and Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra; also in Lincoln, she performs Natalie Dietterich’s light, beloved, originally written for her. JIJI also performs Hilary Purrington’s Harp of Nerves with the San Antonio Philharmonic, and she gives the world premiere of ljósíd, a new audio-visual work by Gulli Björnsson, in her debut with the Seattle Symphony. Other season highlights include performing on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s celebration of Julius Eastman and an appearance with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, FL.
JIJI has premiered solo and chamber works by a diverse range of musical artists, including David Lang, Nicky Sohn, Michael Gilbertson, Hilary Purrington, Shelley Washington, Kate Moore, Chris Rountree, Gulli Björnsson, Molly Joyce, and Paul Lansky. In 2024, JIJI will release UNBOUND, the culmination of a multiyear commissioning and recording project. A sought-after and versatile collaborator, JIJI’s recent chamber and ensemble performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic’s Nightcap Series; Cuarteto Latinoamericano; the Verona Quartet; Wildup; Duo Linu; and soprano Molly Netter, among others.
JIJI has also gained a reputation as a sought-after concerto soloist. Recent appearances include performances with the Asheville Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Augusta Symphony, Duluth Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Riga, New West Symphony, New York Youth Symphony, American Composers Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and more. Equally fluent in classical and contemporary genres, her interpretation of Concierto de Aranjuez has enthralled audiences across the country, and her premieres of new guitar concertos, including Steven Mackey’s Aluminum Flowers in 2024, continue to break new ground. Over the last five years alone, JIJI has premiered major concertos by composers Natalie Dietterich (light, beloved, 2018), Hilary Purrington (Harp of Nerves, 2019), and Krists Auznieks (Apvārsnis Kamolā, 2021), in addition to Mackey.
A committed educator, JIJI is Associate Professor of Music in Guitar at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and former Assistant Professor of Guitar at Arizona State University’s School of Music, Dance and Theater. She has presented master classes and workshops extensively, including at the Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, Yale University, and Dublin’s National Concert Hall, among many others.
In addition to advocating for the music of her contemporaries, JIJI also performs and records many of her own works, and she continues to develop her distinctive compositional voice.
During her spare time, JIJI enjoys cooking and creating weird sounds on Ableton. She is sponsored by Augustine Strings and GuitarLift by Felix Justen.